07 APRIL 2022
www.therecord.com.au
Edition #377
JESUS IS THE FACE OF THE FATHER’S MERCY, SAYS ARCHBISHOP COSTELLOE
The new Columbarium and Rosary Garden at Ellenbrook Parish St Helena’s Church was built by Kee Group, with thanks to the generous support of the parish and school community, and co-ordinated by parishioner David Holbrook. PHOTO: MICHELLE TAN / SUPPLIED.
By Jamie O'Brien
Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB has encouraged Perth Catholics to reflect on Jesus as the face of the Father’s mercy. Speaking to parishioners at the Ellenbook Parish St Helena’s Church on the occasion its 10th anniversary, in addition to the blessing and opening of the new Columbarium and Rosary Garden, Archbishop Costelloe reflected on the parable of the prodigal son from Luke’s gospel. “When Jesus speaks that parable, it's God speaking to us about who he God the Father is,” Archbishop Costelloe explained. Archbishop Costelloe then noted that it was Pope Francis, who was elected Pope just a year after Archbishop
Costelloe was appointed, who has invited the church to reflect deeply on Jesus as the face of the Father's mercy. “This Jesus that I've just been speaking about, who is God among us, is particularly for us, the face of the Father's mercy. Archbishop Costelloe was joined for the occasion by concelebrants Ellenbrook Par ish Pr ie s t , Fr Bonaventure Echeta and St Charles Seminary Vice Rector Fr Francis Huy Nguyen, who was the foundation priest from 2012 to 2014. The occasion was limited to attendance 150 parishioners and members of the parish community inside the Church because of COVID19 restrictions in place at the time, with many more seated outside.
The parish, which encompasses Ellenbrook, Henley Brook, Aveley, Belhus, Upper Swan, The Vines and Barabham, was created 25 March 2012 with Fr Francis Huy Nguyen as the first Parish Priest. Current Parish Priest Fr Bonaventure Echeta, who was appointed in 2014, said the occasion was one of joy and blessing, particularly given how much the parish has grown and changed over the past 10 years. “The occasion has been one of renewal of the faith and community spirit,” Fr Bonaventure explained. “It is a very community-based parish, with a lovely range of cultural identities, young and old, who support each other,” he said. Full Text available at
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